Outboard Top Speed World Record 200 mph Attempt

[Instigator]

I'll wax the rig and help the driver suit up!

I'll push the wheel barrow w/the drivers cajone's

[T2x]

We have a UIM certified cockpit installed and it looks like it just became junk. Here is the UIM rules for the WWSR cockpits...........
Proposed text

“…including a UIM registered reinforced cockpit. The registration of the cockpit is required to satisfy the following:

1. The cockpit in the hull attempting the World Record shall be registered as described by the UIM registration and the following requirements.
2. The cockpit builder shall be a registered UIM cockpit builder.
3. In addition the cockpit should be mounted inside a shock absorbing shell. This shell should be built using multiple layers of cores that would absorb the first shock.
4. The cockpit should be equipped with a safety seat. Safety restraint (6 or 7 points) should be attached to the pilot’s safety seat.
5. As part of the registration process, the following analysis shall be submitted for review:
   
   1. Engineering analysis of the cockpit structure: this analysis will use the loads that would exist from the pressures resulting from the projected speed of the hull, entry angles, plus a safety factor and show that the integrity of the cockpit can be maintained.
   2. Engineering analysis of the pilot safety: this analysis will use the loads that would exist from the pressures resulting from the projected speed of the hull, entry angles, plus a safety factor and show that the integrity of the pilot can be maintained.
   3. Structural analysis of the shell, windshield, roll cage (if applicable) and attachment to the hull.
   
   
6. As part of the certification process, laminate samples representing the design/build required by the registration process ( cockpit, shell and their junction) will be supplied for bend testing at load deflection values consistent with the analytical applied crash loads. These samples will be tested in accordance with the process referenced in 509, UIM cockpit test standard with the appropriate loading and deflection requirements consistent with the structural analysis accomplished in 5) above.

A World record will not be approved without a cockpit registration which successfully satifies these requirements. It is going to be an expensive engineering nightmare.

One other question in addition to Ken's very thorough information above.... How big is the "halo" (space between helmet and cockpit cage) around the driver's helmet in your cockpit?

[Spectre Powerboats]

There is at least a 6" minimum all the way around the head area. We are incorporating an ISP padding system in the sides and the top, just like a Top Fuel Car has. The boat also will have a foam poured in seat to custom fit the driver and the Hans or R3 device.

[Phil Conant]

Great thread, good luck with your project!

[largecar91]

I know I have built and driven boats using Todds capsules and been in accidents in them. I would never hesitate to climb into one of his capsules.

[Rodney Nance]

There is at least a 6" minimum all the way around the head area. We are incorporating an ISP padding system in the sides and the top, just like a Top Fuel Car has. The boat also will have a foam poured in seat to custom fit the driver and the Hans or R3 device.

I am a big believer in not letting the drivers helmet get a head start before it contacts a roll bar in a straight line boat because wheel shake is not a problem as it is in asphalt racing. Vibration and harmonics you still have to allow for. Just a thought.

[afr]

studies has shown seat belts stretch up to as much as 15 inches under a small 5 g load

[T2x]

I am a big believer in not letting the drivers helmet get a head start before it contacts a roll bar in a straight line boat because wheel shake is not a problem as it is in asphalt racing. Vibration and harmonics you still have to allow for. Just a thought.

The base of the skull and neck must have room to stretch during high G incidents. If anything stops that action a fatal Basel skull fracture can and will occur (The injury that killed Dale Earnhardt, Mark Lavin, and dozens of others without sufficient "halo" clearance). Locking the head in will also create this scenario as the shoulders and neck ballistically compress upward toward the skull.

200 mph accidents create all of the dynamics of a plane crash. The late Doug lewis summed it up best when decribing a proper capsule test...."Place the capsule near a body of water with a person sitting in it....then have a bullet train accelerate to 180 mph and hit the capsule dead on knocking it into the water..... if the occupant survives and all the systems work...the capsule is good."

You are dealing with forces here that are almost incomprehensible....

[powerabout]

the brain has a g limit, thats what you have to work with

[Spectre Powerboats]

I am taking as much safety precautions as possible, but my main goal is not to crash. Top fuel boats crash at over 200mph all the time and most live through it. We will be ok.

[afr]

i like a post i saw years ago when we talked about going for this record but no one was willing to give up there v8 j/e for testing lol
anyways the post was make the capsule round like a ball you may be dizzy as hell but alive lol

[Point Five]

Just subscribing, good luck!

[R.grover]

how about an electric outboard. lots of torque then. ive hurd they playn with one on a f1 boat in aus

[Instigator]

."Place the capsule near a body of water with a person sitting in it....then have a bullet train accelerate to 180 mph and hit the capsule dead on knocking it into the water..... if the occupant survives and all the systems work...the capsule is good."

You are dealing with forces here that are almost incomprehensible....

That is one of the scariest things I've ever read and maybe the most accurate description of how violent a race boat crash is.

[Spectre Powerboats]

That is one of the scariest things I've ever read and maybe the most accurate description of how violent a race boat crash is.

People have been crashing boats over 200 mph for 20 years, 98% of them have lived, whether it is a fixed capsule or a break away capsule. There has even been many Top Fuel Hydros crash at the 250 mph mark and the most of been fine. I do not know of one person killed in an outrigger and all the Big Dog Top Fuel Teams run them now, so I feel good about our chances. This boat has some really cool safety stuff that I will disclose later as it gets more finished. Boat is here in Ohio, so I will post pics once we start rigging.